Pauline Hanson's stunt

Forced adoptions a 'shameful' episode

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk recounts the stories of mothers who had their babies "ripped from their arms" during a "deliberate program of deceit" more than 40 years ago.

Collette Glazebrook, who was adopted out in 1948, said the apology was excellent and she appreciated the use of the word illegal.

Angela Barra, who was adopted out in Brisbane in 1967 and had hoped the apology would acknowledge the illegality of the practices, said the wording was “perfect” and she would be framing and hanging up a copy of the speech.

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Premier Campbell Newman, Child Safety Minister Tracy Davis and Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk signed the formal apology at a reception at the Parliamentary Annexe, with this document set to be hung up at Parliament House as a permanent reminder.

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The trio then signed copies of the apology for people who were affected by forced adoption and attended the function.

1.10pm: The apology speeches have concluded, as has our live coverage. Premier Campbell Newman led the speeches, saying the Parliament offered its “unreserved and sincere apology to all those families forcibly and unlawfully broken apart by these past practices and we acknowledge that your pain and suffering continues”.

“We acknowledge the shame, guilt and secrecy carried by many for too long in silence and that when it was expressed often it has not been believe,” he said, in an apology that has been a long time in the making.

Premier Campbell Newman and the Queensland Parliament are formally apologising for the traumatic forced adoption practices that were commonplace in Queensland in past decades.

“To all those affected we say sorry.”

We are seeking feedback from affected people who attended the speech. In the meantime, you can see how the apology unfolded by looking over the updates below. To find out more about this issue, read the gripping feature story by Marissa Calligeros titled: 'Your son is gone. He's with his adoptive parents.'

1.02pm: The apology motion has passed following solemn speeches by Mr Newman and other senior parliamentarians from across party lines. MPs and members of the public gallery are now leaving the chamber.

About 230 people had registered to attend the apology, but those who could not fit in Parliament's public gallery watched the speeches live streamed in a dedicated room in the Parliamentary Annexe.

Ms Davis says she hopes the apology will help lift the “burden of secrecy”. She says we can’t change the events of the past but can commit not to repeat those mistakes today.

In times during her speech, Ms Davis's voice wavers as she becomes emotional.

12.50pm: Ms Palaszczuk says the stories involve an Australia not of a century ago or "in our distant past" but in recent history, with the practices allowed to continue through the 1960s, into the 1970s and even into the 1980s.

The women had committed no crime but were tricked and lied to and ostracised in their communities and even in many cases by their families, Ms Palaszczuk says.

"These are stories that recall pregnancies ruined by a system in failure and place rightful blame at the feet of religious communities, health professionals and maternity homes and hospitals. These are the stories that provide a shocking picture of young mothers and fathers misled and intimidated. It reveals a history of forgery in many cases and in many others, the basic denial of fundamental legal rights," she says.

12.45pm: Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk tells the story of a pregnant 19-year-old woman in 1966 who was confused and frightened and brought into hospital through back door. She says the woman is sedated by staff and denied compassion.

Ms Palaszczuk is recounting the story of Margaret Oakhill-Hamilton who was forced to give up her son in 1966.

Mrs Oakhill-Hamilton told Fairfax Media yesterday: “I actually touched him for the first time when he was 24 years old. I was only ever allowed to see him through a nursery window. I don't remember my son being born and I don't remember the five days after.”

A while ago, journalist Marissa Calligeros wrote a feature article which documents the difficult story of Mrs Oakhill-Hamilton, and those of others affected by forced adoptions. You can read that here.

12.41pm: Mr Newman says the Parliament acknowledges the wrongs that had been caused, including the misleading and deception of mothers.

“You were denied a voice, dignity and care and in many cases the fulfilment of your pregnancy turned to anguish,” he says.

“Today we say that you need not suffer in silence anymore.”

Mr Newman also expresses sorry to affected children, noting deep regret over what had occurred.

He says the Legislative Assembly offers its “unreserved and sincere apology to all those families forcibly and unlawfully broken apart by these past practices and we acknowledge that your pain and suffering continues”.

“We acknowledge the shame, guilt and secrecy carried by many for too long in silence and that when it was expressed often it has not been believe,” Mr Newman says.

“You have been heard, you are believed and you are not to blame,” he says.

“To all those affected we say sorry.”

12.35pm: Premier Campbell Newman is now delivering the apology, saying many people were haunted by the forced adoption experiences.

He says the Senate inquiry heard stories of people physically shackled to beds, mothers not being told of their rights, some mothers not being told sex of baby, and some even being told their baby had died when in fact had been taken for adoption.

“Today we recognise the lifelong pain caused by those experience and we want them to know we are deeply sorry.”

Mr Newman says he has been "deeply moved, personally moved" by stories he had heard.

12.27pm: Not quite sure what the forced adoption apology is all about?

Ahead of the landmark speeches, read some of the personal stories of what happened in decades gone by and how it affected people. This morning we featured the story of Brisbane resident Angela Barra, who says when she was handed over for adoption in 1967, her young mum was given no choice, no proper support and no explanation of her rights. But today they will at least be given an apology. Read more here.

A Senate inquiry this year found the total number of adoptions in Australia between 1951 and 1975 was 140,000 to 150,000. The number peaked in 1971-72, when 9798 adoptions were recorded. It is unclear how many of these adoptions were “forced” or “coerced” as such details were not recorded, but attitudes at the time were certainly an obstacle to young, single mothers.

12.20pm: The formal apology is due to begin at 12.30pm. Premier Campbell Newman has said he hopes it goes some way to heal the pain caused by the forced adoption practices in past decades, when young, unmarried mums were generally pressured to give up their babies.

The public gallery at Queensland Parliament is filling ahead of the apology, which has been a long time coming, according to those affected by forced adoption.